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Patented May 26, 1936 UTED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOADING MACHINE Albert C. Wilcox, Bridgeport, Ohio, assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application September 17, 1931, Serial No. 563,368

52 Claims.

The invention relates to loading machines, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to improvements in coal loading machines of the track supported and guided type adapted to operate from the mine trackway.

An object of this invention is to provide an improvedcoal loading machine. Another object is to provide an improved coal loading machine of the wheel mounted, track supported and guided type. A further object is to provide an improved loading machine having improved material handling means and improved means for adjusting the handling means relative to the material to be handled thereby. A still further object is to provide an improved material handling mechanism which operates with a shoveling action to scoop up and move the materialto be loaded. Still another object is toA provide an improved shoveling mechanism for a loading machine whereby the material to be loaded is scooped up from the mine oor and moved onto the conveying means of the machine in an improved manner. Still another object is to provide improved mechanism for operating the shovel and for adjusting the convey- Yet another object is to provide, in a coal loading machine of the above character, improved mechanism whereby the mine car to be loaded may be supported by the machine and moved therewith during adjustment thereof during the loading operation. Still another object is to provide improved means whereby the material handling mechanism may be swung into different angular positions relative to the mine trackway in an improved manner. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear in the course of the following description and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown, for purposes of illustration, one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of the illustrative embodiment of the improved loading machine.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinally extending vertical sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken substantially on line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational View illustrating the conveyor adjusting means, the adjusting means being shown partially in section.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the shoveling mechanism, showing the shovel in its different operative positions.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially `on line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a detail view illustrating the cam mechanism for operating the car receiving platform.

Fig. 10 is a somewhat diagrammatic View showing the curved trackway along which the material handling mechanism of the machine is guided during lateral adjustment of the shovel mechanism.

In this illustrative construction there is shown a coal loading machine of the wheel mounted, track supported and guided type adapted to operate from the mine trackway and comprising a body I supported at its forward end by truck wheels 2 and at its rearward end by a wheeled truck 3, the truck wheels engaging the rails of a trackway 4. Supported on the body I for hori- Zontal swinging movement relative thereto is a frame 5 journaled at 6 on a vertical pivot pin 'I carried by the wheeled truck 3, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The frame 5, as shown in Fig. 4, is provided with upstanding side portions 8, 8 provided with parallel longitudinal guideways 9, 9 in which is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the frame 5, a sliding frame II). Mounted on this sliding frame is the improved shoveling mechanism, generally designated II, and the improved conveying means I2.

The conveying means I2 includes a front Aele- -vating conveyor I3 and a rear discharge conveyor I4, the latter being arranged beneath the discharge end of the elevating conveyor to receive the material discharged therefrom and in turn overhanging the rear end of the machine body in such manner as to discharge in a mine car I5 arranged beneath the overhanging end thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. The front elevating conveyor comprises a conveyor frame It supported at II at its forward end on the sliding frame and at its rearward end on lateral ledges I8, I8 formed on the frame I9 of the rear discharge conveyor. The upper frame I6 is secured in a suitable manner to the sliding frame I6,

so that when the latter slides inwardly or outwardly relative to the frame 5, the front conveyor moves therewith, the rear end of the con- Vveyor frame I6 sliding along the ledges I8, I8 on the rear conveyor frame I9 during such movement. The discharge conveyor is supported at its forward end on the top surface of the sliding frame and at its rearward end at 28 on an element of the car platform adjusting means, as hereinafter described. Guided on the frame 'I6 of the front conveyor is an endless conveyor belt 2| driven through suitable connections 22 from the motor 23 carried at the side of the conveyor frame I. The discharge conveyor includes an endless conveyor belt 24 guided on the frame I9 and driven through suitable connections 25 by a motor 26 carried at the side of the conveyor frame I9. In this instance, the rear discharge conveyor I4 is adjustable in an endwise direction relative to the sliding frame I0 to vary the position of the discharge end thereof relative to the mine car I5 to enable even distribution of the material discharged thereby into the mine car, and the means for adjusting this conveyor comprises, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, hydraulic motors 21, 21 carried by the upstanding side portions 8, 8 of the swivel frame 5 at the opposite sides of the conveyor frame I3. These hydraulic mctors, as shown in Fig, 6, each includes a cylinder 28 having reciprocably mounted therein a piston 29 having a rearwardly extending piston rod 30 suitably pivotally connected at 3I to the conveyor frame I9. It will thus be seen that when the hydraulic pressure is admitted into the cylinders 28 the pistons 29 are forced rearwardly, thereby causing the rear discharge conveyor to slide rearwardly relative to the sliding frame I0; the conveyor frame I9, as the rear conveyor moves rearwardly, tilting about the pivotal connection 3|.

Now referring to the improved shoveling mechanism I I, it will be observed that formed integral with the sliding frame IE! at its forward end is a cylindrical bearing member 32 having rotatably mounted therein and extending centrally therethrough, a shaft 33. As shown in Fig. 5, keyed to the opposite ends of the shaft 33 are disc members 34, 34 having formed thereon gear segments 35, 35. Formed integral with the disc members 34, 34 are arm-like projections 36 each carrying an abutment pin 31 adapted to underlie and engage a shovel supporting arm 38. In this instance, the shovel supporting arms are pivotally connected at 39 at their forward ends to an open-ended shovel member 43, and these arms are pivotally mounted at 4I, at their rearward ends, on the transverse shaft 33. The shovel member 40 is provided with an arcuate rear end portion 42 engaging the cylindrical surface of the member 32, as shown in Fig. 3, and this arcuate portion serves as a guide or bearing for the shovel member during swinging of the shovel member into its discharge position. Carried at the opposite sides of the upstanding portions 8, 8 of the swivel frame 5 are hydraulic motors 43, 43 each comprising a cylinder 44 containing a reciprocable piston 45. The pistons 45 are provided with forwardly extending piston rods 48 guided at 41 within lateral abutment and guide members 48 formed integral with the sliding frame I Il, it being noted that the upstanding portions 8 of the swivel frame are cut away at 49 to permit movement of the lateral projections 48 into their rearmost position, as shown in Figs. l and '1. Formed on the forward ends of the piston rods 45 are rack members 59, the teeth of which engage the teeth of the gear segments 35. Movement of the racks 5! in opposite directions is limited by collars 5l and 52 suitably fixed to the piston rod 46 and engageable with the opposite surfaces of the projections 48. It will thus be seen that when hydraulic pressure is admitted to the rear ends of the cylinders of the hydraulic motors 43, the pistons 45 are moved forwardly, thereby causing the racks 50 to swing the gear segments and their integral disc members 34 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 7; and as a result, the abutment pins 31 and shovel arms 38 move downwardly to lower the shovel member 40 onto the mine floor. Upon further movement of the racks the abutment pins 31 move downwardly away from the shovel arms 38 to cause a certain amount of lax motion between the abutment pins and shovel arms, thereby permitting the shovel member to move freely over an uneven mine floor. Upon further forward movement of the racks, the collars 52 on the piston rods engage the rear surfaces of the projections 48 on the sliding frame I8, thereby causing the sliding frame to move forwardly along its guideways relative to the swivel frame 5. This forward motion causes the shovel member 48 to move bodily in a forward direction to penetrate the material to be loaded. After the completion of the forward shoveling motion, hy-

draulic pressure is admitted to the forward ends 25 of the cylinders of the hydraulic motors 43 while the rearward ends of these cylinders are connected to exhaust, thereby causing the pistons 4'5 to move rearwardly, moving therewith the racks 50; and as a result the sliding frame Il! and shovel member 40 are moved bodily into their rearward position. Upon further rearward movement of the racks, the shovel member 43 is swung upwardly about the axis of the shaft 33 into its discharge position, the material discharging from the shovel onto the front conveyor I3. The swinging movement of the shovel 40 toward its discharge position is limited by engagement of the collars 5I on the piston rods with the forward surfaces of the projections 48.

Mechanism is provided whereby the mine car I5 may be supported by the loading machine during the loading operation, and herein comprises a car receiving platform 55 of generally U-shape having portions 55 overlying the track rails to form guideways along which the wheels of the mine car are adapted to run. This platform is pivotally connected at 51 to brackets 58 suitably secured to the rear portion of the machine body I. The mechanism for swinging the car receiving platform upwardly and downwardly about its pivot onto its car receiving and supporting positions, comprises lifting arms 59 having hookshaped portions 68 engageable with lateral pins 6I on the sides of the platform. The inner ends of these lifting arms are mounted on eccentric members 62 fixed to a transverse lifting bar 53 journaled in suitable bearings carried by the upstanding side portions B of the swivel frame 5. The element 63 forms the support for the rear end of the discharge conveyor I4, as shown. Fixed to the lifting bar 33 is a depending arm G4 which projects downwardlyl into the path of movement of an upstanding abutment 65 formed on the sliding frame I8, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8. When the car receiving platform is in its lowered position, with the. portions 55 engaging the track rails, the lever 54 assumes the dotted-line position in Fig. 9. When it is desired to lift the platform into a position to clear the track rails, the hydraulic motors 43 are operated to slide the frame I Il rearwardly, thereby causing the abutment 65 to engage the lever 54 to swing the latter from the dotted-line position in Fig. 9 to the fullline position in that figure. This swinging movement of the lever 64 causes rotation of the eccentric members 62 from their lower position to their upper position, as shown in Fig. 9, thereby causing the lifting bars 59 to raise the platform. The eccentric members 62 may be released to lo-wer the platform simply by striking against the lever 64 or by connecting the lever 64 in a suitable manner, as by a chain or link, to the sliding projection 55. During transport of the machine, the lifting arms 59 may be detached from the platform 55 and the eccentric members 62, and the platform swung upwardly against the rear end of the machine, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the lifting arms being carried on the conveying means at that time.

Any suitable mechanism may be provided for driving the wheels of the truck 3 to propel the machine along the mine trackway, and this mechanism in this instance comprises a motor 55 suspended beneath the frame of the truck 3 and having its power shaft 61 connected through suitable chain and sprocket connections 68 to the truck wheel axles. This motor is of the reversible type, and thus serves to effect truck wheel drive in either direction. The mechanism for swinging the swivel frame I0 laterally relative to the body I about the axis of the swivel pin 1 herein comprises a motor 69 carried by one of the side portions 8 of the frame 5 and arranged at one side of the conveying means I2, as shown in Fig. 2. The power shaft 10 of this motor is connected through suitable gearing 1I with a transverse shaft 12 suitably journaled on the frame 5. Mounted on and driven by the shaft 12 adjacent the opposite ends thereof at the opposite sides of the machine are cable winding drums 13, 14, each having wound thereon a cable 15. Any suitable type of clutch means 16 may be employed for connecting the winding drums 13, 14 to the shaft 12, and the motor 69 is made reversible to drive the drums in either of opposite directions. Mounted on the projections 48 at opposite sides of the sliding frame are guide sheaves 11, 18 for guiding the cables 15. In operation, the cables 'I5 are extended from the winding drums longitudinally along the sides of the machine and around the guide sheaves 11, 18, and are connected at their free ends to suitable anchors or jacks; and as one or the other of the cables is wound in, the swivel frame 5, together with the mechanism supported thereby, is swung horizontally relative to the machine body I to vary the angular position of the shoveling mechanism relative to the trackway. Mounted at the opposite sides of the machine adjacent the hydraulic motors 43 are hydraulic jacks 19 having reciprocable piston rods 8E! connected by a transverse member 8| eX- tending transversely across the machine above the conveying means I2, as shown in Fig. 4. Detachably carried by the member BI is a jack element 82. When hydraulic pressure is admitted to the jack cylinders, the piston rods 8l) are moved upwardly, thereby causing the jack element 82 to egage the mine roof, to hold the machine against movement relative to the trackway during the loading operation. The means for supplying hydraulic pressure to the cylinders of the hydraulic motors 21, 43 and the hydraulic jacks 19, comprises a motor 83, herein mounted on the side of the swivel frame 5 and having its power shaft 84 connected to a suitable pump 85. This pump is adapted to supply fluid under pressure through suitable valve controlled pipe connections (not shown) to the hydraulic motors and jacks.

It has been found that the range of swinging movement of the swivel frame 5 relative to the body I is not sufficient to meet all conditions,

and therefore, to increase the working range of the machine, there is provided beneath the machine body a caster wheel 85 carried by a bracket 81 swiveled at 88 on the machine body I, as shown in Fig. 3. This swivel caster is adapted to engage a curved trackway 89 placed on the mine bottom in the manner shown in Fig. l0. As the machine is fed forwardly along the mine trackway 4 under the propulsion of the wheels of the truck 3, the caster wheel 86 runs along the curved trackway 89, thereby causing, when the front truck wheels run off from the rails of the trackway 4, the machine body, the swivel frame, and the mechanism supported thereby, to swing laterally about the vertical pivot pin 1 on the truck 3. It will be evident that in any of the angular positions of the machine body relative to the truck .'-for instance, when the machine body assumes the dotted-line position indicated in Fig. 10-, the swivel frame 5 may be swung relative to the machine body I by the cable and drum mechanism 13, 14, 15.

The general mode of operation of the improved loading machine will be clearly apparent from the description given. The machine is propelled along the mine trackway at a transport speed under the propulsion of the wheels of the truck 3 3 driven by the motor 55. When the working place is reached, the mine car I5 is run onto the car receiving platform 55, and the wheels thereof checked. The platform 55 is then raised upwardly by the eccentric mechanism 62, 64, 65. The 3 conveyor driving motors 23, 25 are then started, thereby rapidly circulating the conveyor belts 2 l, 24 in their guides. The motor 83 is then started, and fluid under pressure is supplied from the pump 85 to the hydraulic motors 43, thereby causing the shovel member 45 to be moved downwardly onto the mine bottom, then forwardly to receive the material, and then rearwardly to discharge the material onto the front elevating conveyor I3. During this loading operation, the machine is held against movement relative to the mine trackway by the hydraulic jacks- 19. The front conveyor I3 discharges onto the rear conveyor I4, which in turn discharges into the mine car I 5. The hydraulic motors 21 may be operated to move the rear conveyor back and forth in an endwise direction to cause even distribution of the material discharged thereby into the mine car. The shoveling mechanism may be swung laterally as loading progresses, simply by extending one or the other of the cables 15 from the winding drums 13, 14 around one or the other of the guide sheaves 11, 18, to a suitable laterally positioned anchor; and as the cable is Wound in through the connections driven by the motor 69, the swivel frame 5, together with the mechanism supported thereby, is swung horizontally relative to the machine body. To increase the lateral range of adjustment of the shoveling mechanism, the caster wheel 85 is run along the curved trackway 89. During this lateral swinging movement of the shoveling mechanism, the mine car I5 moves laterally therewith and serves to counterbalance the weight of the shoveling mechanism during the shoveling operation. When the mine car I5 is loaded, the swivel frame is again returned to its central position and the platform 55 is swung downwardly into engagement with the track rails. The chocks are removed from the car wheels and the loaded 75 mine car is then run off of the platform onto the trackway il. Other methods of operation of the improved loading machine will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that the motors 23, 25, 66, and B9 and the connections driven thereby, and the hydraulic motors and pump, and the connections therebetween, are diagrammatically shown, and that any suitable connections may be employed between these motors and the mechanisms actuated thereby.

While in this application there is shown and described one embodiment which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form thereof is shown for purposes of illustration only and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a loading machine, a portable base having a horizontal guideway, a frame overlying said base and guided on said base for longitudinal movement relative thereto along said guideway, the forward extremity of said frame overhanging the front end of said base, a shovel mechanism carried by the overhanging end of said frame and including a shovel member, endless, continuously moving conveying mechanism on said frame for receiving the material discharged by said shovel member, and always having its material receiving end in a material receiving position with respect to said shovel mechanism, said shovel member being movable bodily relative to said conveying mechanism into discharging position, mechanism for moving said frame longitudinally relative to said base to actuate said shovel mechanism, and mechanism for moving said shovel member relative to said conveying mechanism to discharge the material onto said conveying mechanism.

2. In a loading machine, a portable base having a horizontal guideway, a frame overlying said base and guided on said base for longitudinal movement relative thereto along said guideway, the forward end of said frame overhanging` the front end of said base, a shovel mechanism carried by the overhanging end of said frame and including a swingable shovel` member, endless, continuously moving conveying mechanism on said frame for receiving the material discharged by said shovel member and always having its material receiving end in a material receiving position with respect to said shovel mechanism, said shovel member being swingable relative to said conveying mechanism into discharging position, and mechanism for moving said frame longitudinally relative to said base to move said shovel mechanism into material penetrating position and for swinging said shovel member into its discharging position, said shovel member swingable into its discharging position independently of movement of said frame relative to said base.

3. In a loading machine, a portable base, a frame mounted thereon for swinging movement horizontally relative thereto and having a horizontal guideway, a frame overlying said swingable frame and guided thereon for longitudinal movement relative thereto along said guideway, the forward end of said longitudinally movable frame overhanging the front end of said swingable frame, a shovel mechanism carried by said longitudinally movable frame and including a shovel member, endless, continuously moving conveying means on said longitudinally movable frame for receiving the material discharged by said shovel member and always having its material receiving end in a material receiving position with respect to said shovel mechanism, said shovel member movable bodily relative to said conveying means into discharging position, mechanism for moving said second frame longitudinally along its guideway to move said shovel mechanism into its material penetrating position, and mechanism separate from said moving mechanism for moving said shovel mechanism into its discharging position.

4. In a loading machine, a portable base having a horizontal guideway, shovel mechanism thereon including a swingable shovel member and supporting means therefor, mechanism for moving said shovel mechanism supporting means bodily relative to said base along said guideway to move said shovel member into its material penetrating position, endless, continuously moving conveying mechanism mounted on said supporting means and movable with said shovel mechanism for receiving the material discharged by said shovel member and always having its material receiving end in a material receiving position with respect to said shovel mechanism, said shovel member being swingable relative to said conveying mechanism into discharging position, and mechanism operable independently of said moving mechanism for swinging said shovel member into its discharging position relative to said conveying mechanism.

5. In a loading machine, a portable base', shovel mechanism on said base including a swingable shovel member and supporting means therefor, mechanism for moving said shovel mechanism supporting means bodily relative to said base into its material penetrating position, conveying mechanism mounted on said supporting means and movable with said shovel mechanism for receiving the material discharged by said shovel member, mechanism operable independently of movement of said moving mechanism for swinging said shovel member into its discharging position, and a common source of power on the machine for actuating said shovel member moving and swinging mechanisms, and including a common power actuated element operatively connected to said latter mechanisms.

6. In a loading machine, a portable base, material loading means on said base, conveying means on said base for receiving the material discharged by said loading means, and means on said base at the end thereof remote from said loading means for supporting a mine car in position tc receive the material discharged from said conveying means.

7. In a loading machine, a portable base, material loadingmeans on said base, and means on said base at the end thereof remote from said loading means for supporting a mine car in position to receive the material discharged from said loading means and including a mine car receiving platform at the rear of said base movable relative to said base into car receiving and car supporting positions.

8. In a loading machine, a portable base, material loading means on said base, and means on said base for supporting a mine car in position to receive the material discharged from said loading means and including a pivoted car re.-

ceiving platform and means for swinging said 75 platform Vrelative td said `base into car receiving and car supporting positions, the mine car when in position on said receiving means remaining stationary relative to said receiving means duringA movement of the latter into car supporting position.

9. In a loading machine, a portable base, material loading means on said base, mechanism for actuating said material loading means including an element movable into different `operative positions, means on said base for supporting a mine car in position to receive the material discharged from said loading means, and means actuated by said element for adjusting said car supporting means relative to said base into car receiving and car supporting positions.

10. In a loading machine, a portable base having a horizontal guideway, a sliding frame overlying said base and guided on said guideway for movement relative to said base, the forward end of said frame overhanging said base, shovel mechanism on the overhanging end of said sliding frame including a shovel member, arms pivotally supporting said shovel member, means for moving said arms bodily with said sliding frame to move said shovel member into its material penetrating position, means for swinging said arms relative to said sliding frame operable while the 'latter` remains stationary as regards sliding movement to swing said shovel member into its discharging position, and endless, con- -tinuously moving conveying means on said slidingframe for receeiving the material discharged by said shovel member and always having its material receiving end in a material receiving position with respect to said shovel mechanism. 11. In a loading machine, a portable base, a sliding frame thereon, shovel mechanism on Said sliding frame including a shovel member, arms its swinging movement.

12. In a loading machine, shoveling mechanism including a shovel member, a motor, mech- .anism operated by said motor for moving said .shovel member bodily into its material receiving position, mechanism distinct from said moving mechanism and likewise operated by said motor for thereafter and only upon completion of said bodily movement swinging said shovel member toward its discharging position, and conveying means movable bodily with said shoveling mechanism for receiving the material discharged by said shovel member. y

13. In a loading'machine, shoveling mechanism including a shovel member, a motor, mechanism operated by said motor for moving said shovel member bodily into its material receiving position and thereafter moving said shovel member bodily rearwardly, mechanism distinct from said moving mechanism and likewise operated by said motor for thereafter and only upon completion of said bodily movement swinging said shovel member toward its discharging position, and conveying means movable bodily with said shoveling mechanism for receiving the material discharged by said shovelmember.

14. In a loading machine, shovel mechanism including a pivoted arm structure and a pivotal mounting therefor, a shovel pivotally supported by said arm structure to swing relative thereto about a fixed axis with respect to said arm structure, means for swinging said arm structure to 'swing said shovel toward its discharging position,

and means entirely separate and distinct from said swinging means and said arm structure for continuously guiding said shovel during said swinging movement.

15. In a loading machine, shovel mechanism including a pivoted arm structure. and a pivotal mounting therefor, a shovel pivotally supported by said arm structure to swing relative thereto about a fixed axis with respect to said arm struc'- ture, means for swinging said arm structure to swing said shovel toward its discharging position, andV bearing means spaced from said pivotal mounting and entirely separate and distinct from said arm structure and said swinging means for continuously guiding said shovel during said swing movement.

16. In a loading machine, a Wheeled 'truck adapted to run along the mine trackway, a machine body pivotally mounted at one end on said truck'and carrying truck wheels for supporting its forward end on the mine trackway, material loading mechanism carried by said body, and supplemental means including a trackway and track engaging means for supporting and guiding the forward end of said body in a predetermined path when said front truck Wheels have run off from the mine trackway.

17. In a loading machine, a wheeled truck adapted to run along the mine trackway, a machine body pivotally mounted at one end on said truck and carrying truck wheels for supporting its forward end on the mine trackway, material loading mechanism carried by said body, and supplemental means including a trackvvay and track engaging means for supporting and guiding the forward end of said body when said front truck wheels have run oi from the mine trackway and for simultaneously swinging said body relative to said truck.

18. In a loading machine, a Wheeled truck adapted to run along the mine trackway, a machine body pivotally mounted at one end on said truck and carrying truck wheels for supporting its forward end on the mine trackway, material loading mechanism carried by said body, and supplemental means for supporting and guiding the forward end of said body when said front truck wheels have run off from the mine trackway and for simultaneously swinging said body relative to said truck, said supplemental means including a caster wheel swiveled on said body and a curved trackvvay along which said caster wheel runs.

19. In a. loading machine, a wheeled truck adapted to run along-a mine trackway, a body swiveled at its rear end on said truck and carrying truck wheels at its forward end also adapted to run along the mine trackway, a frame swiveled on said body, a frame guided on said rst frame for longitudinal movement relative thereto, and material handling mechanism carried by said longitudinally movable frame, said body being swingable relative to said truck and said rst frame being swingable relative to said body to change in a horizontal direction the angular position of said material handling mechanism relative to the trackway.

20. In a loading machine, a portable base, a frame guided on said base for longitudinal movement relative thereto, conveyor mechanism carried by said frame, a gathering mechanism carried by said frame for gathering the material to be loaded and moving the material onto said conveyor mechanism, mechanism for moving said frame longitudinally relative to said base to move said gathering mechanism into its gathering position and for thereafter withdrawing the gathering mechanism, and mechanism for thereafter and only upon discontinuation of said longitudinal frame movement moving said gathering mechanism into its discharging position relative to said conveyor mechanism to discharge the material onto said conveyor mechanism, said conveyor mechanism moving with said gathering mechanism during its gathering and Withdrawal movements.

21. In a loading machine, a portable base, and gathering mechanism thereon including a support slidable longitudinally of said base, an arm structure carried by said support, a'shovel member pivotally connected to and wholly supported by said arm structure, and mechanism for swinging said arm structure relative to said support to move said shovel member into its discharging position and including a swinging element movable relative to said arm structure and always underlying the latter and engageable with said arm structure to effect swinging thereof.

22. In a loading machine, a portable base, and gathering mechanism thereon including a support slidable longitudinally of said base, an arm structure carried by said support, a shovel member pivotally connected to said arm structure, mechanism for swinging said arm structure relative to said support to move said shovel member into its discharging position, and including a shovel member swinging element always underlying said arm structure and movable into engagement with said arm structure to effect swinging thereof, and guiding means on said support with which guiding means on said shovel member is engageable for guiding said shovel member during such movement.

23. In a loading machine, a portable base, a support slidably mounted on said base, an arm structure pivotally mounted on said support, a shovel member pivotally connected to said arm structure, and means movable relative to said arm structure and always underlying the latter and engageable with the arm structure for swinging said arm structure to move said shovel member into its discharging position.

24. In a loading machine, a portable base, a support slidably mounted on said base, an arm structure pivotally mounted on said support, a shovel member pivotally connected to said arm structure, and means movable relative to said arm structure and always underlying the latter and engageable with the arm structure for swinging said arm structure to move said shovel member into its discharging position, said latter means being movable relative to said arm structure to permit movement of said shovel member into a ground engaging position.

25. In a loading machine, a portable base, a frame structure mounted on said base for longitudinal movement relative thereto, conveyor mechanism carried by said frame structure including a front conveyor, a rear conveyor on said base, and gathering mechanism mounted on said frame structure and movable forwardly with said frame structure relative to the base into a gathering position, and mechanism for moving said gathering mechanism relative to said Yframe structure to move the gathering mechanism into its discharging position, said moving mechanism including means whereby said gathering mechanism discharges material onto said front conveyor only when said frame structure is in one of its 5 extreme longitudinal positions relative to said base.

26. In a loading machine, a portable base, a frame structure mounted on said base for longitudinal movement relative thereto, conveyor 10 mechanism carried by said frame structure including a front conveyor, a rear conveyor on said base, and gathering mechanism mounted on Said frame structure and movable forwardly with said frame structure relative to the base into a gath- 15 ering position, and mechanism for moving said gathering mechanism relative to said frame structure to move the gathering mechanism into its discharging position, said gathering mechanism discharging material onto said front con- 20 veyor only when said frame structure is in one of its extreme longitudinal positions with respect to said base, said front conveyor moving with said gathering mechanism during movement thereof into its gathering position and at all times operativeV to receive material discharged from said gathering mechanism.

27. In a loading machine, a portable base, a support mounted on said base for movement in a longitudinal direction relative thereto, an arm structure pivotally mounted on the forward end of said support, a shovel member pivotally connected to said arm structure, and means always underlying said arm structure and movable relative to said arm structure and engageable with the latter to swing said arm structure to move said shovel member into its discharging position.

28. In a loading machine, a portable base, conveying mechanism on said base and disposed longitudinally of and overhanging the front and rear ends of said base, gathering mechanism mounted on said base at the forward overhanging end of said conveying mechanism for gathering the ma- 4 terial and moving the material onto said conveyor mechanism, and a receptacle carried by said base beneath the rear overhanging end of said conveyor mechanism for receiving the material discharged from said conveyor mechanism.

29. In a loading machine, a portable base, a frame mounted on said base for horizontal swinging movement relative thereto, conveyor mechanism carried by said frame and disposed longitudinally of and overhanging the front and rear ends of said base, gathering mechanism carried by said frame at the forward overhanging end of said conveying mechanism for gathering the material and discharging the material onto said conveyor mechanism, and a receptacle carried beneath the rearV overhanging end of said frame for receiving the material discharged from said conveyor mechanism, said gathering mechanism, conveyor mechanism and receptacle swingable horizontally with said frame relative to said base.

30. In a loading machine, a portable base, a support on said base, a transverse shaft journaled on the forward end of said support, arms pivotally mounted on said shaft, a shovel member pivotally connected to said arms, elements secured to said shaft and always underlying said arms and engageable with said arms for swinging said arms to move said shovel member about the shaft axis, and means for actuating said elements.

31. In a loading machine, a portable base. a

support on said base, a transverse shaft journaled on the forward end of said support, arms pivotally mounted on said shaft, a shovel member pivotally connected to said arms, elements secured to said shaft and always underlying said arms and engageable with said arms for swinging said arms to move said shovel member about the shaft axis, means for actuating said elements, and means for moving said support longitudinally relative to said base to move said shaft arms, shovel member and arm engaging means forwardly and rearwardly relative to said base to move said shovel member into its gathering position and to withdraw said shovel member.

32. In a loading machine, a portable base, material loading means on said base, and means on said base for supporting a receptacle in position to receive the material discharged from said loading means and including a receptacle receiving means movable relative to said base into positions to receive and support said receptacle, there being means on said base for moving said receiving means from its receiving position to its supporting position, said receptacle being removable from said receiving means when loaded.

33. In a loading machine, a portable base, material gathering mechanism mounted on said base for longitudinal movement relative thereto including a gathering element mounted at the forward end of said base, a receptacle receiving means mounted on the rear end of said base for supporting a receptacle in a position to receive the material discharged from the gathering means, said receptacle receiving means being movable into receiving and supporting positions, and means actuated by movement of said gathering mechanism relative to said base for moving said receptacle receiving means from one of aforesaid positions to another.

34. In a loading machine, a portable base, conveying mechanism on said base, gathering mechanism mounted at the forward end of said conveying mechanism for gathering the material and moving the material onto the conveying mechanism, a receptacle receiving means mounted on said base at the rear of said conveying mechanism for supporting a receptaclein a position to receive the material discharged by said conveyor mechanism, said receptacle receiving means being movable into its receiving and supporting positions, and means actuated by movement of said gathering mechanism relative to said base for moving said receptacle receiving means from one of aforesaid positions to another.

35. In a loading machine, a portable base, supporting means movable longitudinally relative to said base, said supporting means having at its forward end a cylindrical guide member extending transversely thereof, an arm structure pivotally mounted on the forward end of said supporting means, a shovel member pivotally connected to said arm structure and having arcuate guiding means engageable with said cylindrical guide member, and means associated with said arm structure for swinging said arm structure to swing said shovel member into discharging position.

36. In a loading machine, a portable base, material gathering mechanism on said base including a support movable longitudinally of said base and a gathering element movably mounted on the forward end of said support, conveying means on said support for receiving the material discharged by said gathering mechanism, mechanism for moving said support relative to said base, and mechanism for moving said gathering element relative to said support into a position to discharge the material onto said conveying means, said first mentioned moving mechanism being inoperative during operation of said latter moving mechanism, and a common motor on said base for actuating both of said last mentioned mechanisms.

37. In a loading machine, a portable base, material gathering mechanism on said base including a support movable longitudinally of said base and a gathering lelement movably mounted on the forward end of said support, conveying means on said support for receiving the material discharged by saidgathering mechanism, mechanism for moving said support relative to said base, and mechanism for moving said gathering element relative to said support into a position to discharge the material onto said conveying means, said rst mentioned moving mechanism being inoperative during operation of said latter moving mechanism, and a common motor on' said base for both said last mentioned mechanisms, said motor first actuating said rst mentioned moving mechanism to effect movement of said support relative to said base and thereafter and only upon discontinuation of said longitudinal support movement actuating said second mentioned moving mechanism to move said gathering element relative to said shpport.

38. In a loading machine, a portable base, material gathering mechanism on said base including a support movable longitudinally of said base and a shovel swingably mounted on the forward end of said support, conveying means on said support for receiving the material discharged by said gathering mechanism, mechanism for moving said support relative to said base to effect forward and rearward movements of said shovel, and mechanism for swinging said shovel relative to said support into a position to discharge the material onto said conveying means, said support remaining stationary as regards movement relative to said base during swinging of said shovel and said support moving mechanism being inoperative during operation of said shovel swinging mechanism, and a common motor on the base for actuating said support moving and shovel swinging mechanisms.

39. In a loading machine, a portable base, material gathering mechanism on said base including a support movable longitudinally of said base and a shovel swingably mounted on the forward end of said support, conveying means on said support for receiving the material discharged by said gathering mechanism, mechanism for moving said support relative to said base to effect forward and rearward movements of said shovel, and mechanism for swinging said shovel relative to lsaid support into a position to discharge the material onto said conveying means, said support remaining stationary as regards longitudinal movement relative to said base during swinging of said shovel and said support moving mechanism being inoperative during operation of said shovel swinging mechanism, and a common motor on the base for actuating said support moving and shovel swinging mechanisms, said motor first operating said support moving mechanism and thereafter operating said shovel swinging mechanism.

40. In a loading machine, a portable base, material loading means on said base, and means on said base for supporting a mine car in position` to receive the material discharged from said loading means and including a mine car receiving means movable relative to said base into car receiving and car supporting positions and means on said base for moving said receiving means when a mine car is supported thereon from its receiving position to said supporting position.

41. In a loading machine, a portable base, material loading means on the forward end of said base, and means on the rearward end of said base for supporting a mine car in position to receive the material discharged from said loading means and including a mine car receiving means movable relative to said base into car receiving and car supporting positions.

49. In a leading machine, a portable base having a horizontal guideway, a frame structure mounted on and overlying said base for back and forth longitudinal movement relative thereto along said guideway, the forward extremity of said frame structure overhanging the forward end of said base, shovel mechanism mounted on the forward overhanging extremity of said frame structure including a pivoted shovel member movable into loading and discharging positions relative to said frame structure, an endless, continuo-usly moving conveyor on said frame structure, said shovel being swingable relative to said frame structure into a position to discharge the material therein onto said conveyor, and means for moving said frame structure longitudinally relative to said base and for swinging said shovel member relative to said frame structure, said conveyor moving with said frame structure relative to said base and at all times having its receiving portion disposed in a material receiving position with respect to said shovel mechanism to receive the material discharged by said shovel.

43. In a loading machine, a portable base, a frame structure mounted on said base for back and forth longitudinal movement relative thereto, shovel mechanism mounted on the forward eX- tremity of said frame structure including a pivoted shovel member movable into loading and discharging positions relative to said frame structure, a conveyor on said frame structure, said shovel being swingable relative to said frame structure into a position to discharge the material therein onto said conveyor, means for moving said frame structure longitudinally relative to said base and for swinging said shovel member relative to said frame structure, said conveyor moving bodily with said frame structure relative to said base and at all times disposed in a position to receive the material discharged by said shovel, and material receiving means on the base, the discharge end of said conveyor at all times discharging onto said receiving means irrespective of the discharge end of the position of said conveyor relative thereto.

44. In a loading machine, a portable base, shovel mechanism thereon including a swingable shovel member, a supporting structure extending forwardly in advance of said base and by which said shovel mechanism is wholly supported, conveying means on said supporting structure for receiving the material discharged by said shovel member, mechanism for moving said supporting structure relative to said base for moving said shovel mechanism bodily relative to the base into its material penetrating position, mechanism for swinging said shovel member into its discharging position relative to said supporting structure, and a common source of power for actuating said two latter mechanisms and including a common power actuated element operatively connected to said latter mechanisms.

45. In a loading machine, a portable base, a sliding frame thereon, said frame extending forwardly in advance of said base, shovel mechanism supported wholly on the forward extremity of said sliding frame and including a shovel member, arms carried by said frame and swingable relative thereto for pivotally supporting said shovel member, said shovel member being swingable relative to said arms, means for moving said arms bodily with said sliding frame to move said shovel member into its material penetrating position, means for swinging said arms relative to said sliding frame to swing said shovel member into its discharging position, and endless, continuously moving conveying means on said sliding frame for receiving the material discharged by said shovel member and always having its material receiving end in a material receiving position with respect to said shovel mechanism.

46. In a loading machine, a portable base, a frame structure mounted on said base for horizontal rectilinear movement longitudinally relative to said base, a shovel carried at the front of said frame structure in advance of said base, conveying means on said frame structure for receiving the material discharged by said shovel, means for moving said frame structure rectilinearly relative to said base to move said shovel forwardly into material penetrating and receiving position and for thereafter moving said shovel rearwardly into discharging position with respect to said base, and means for automatically moving said shovel relative to said frame structure for discharging the material therein onto said conveying means only when said frame structure is in its rearmost position with respect to the base.

47. In a loading machine, a portable base, a frame structure mounted on said base for hori- Zontal rectilinear movement longitudinally relative to said base, a shovel carried at the front end of said frame structure in advance of said base, conveying means on said frame structure for receiving the material discharged by said shovel, means for moving said frame structure rectilinearly relative to said base to move said shovel forwardly into material penetrating and receiving position and for thereafter moving said shovel rearwardly into discharging position with respect to said base, means for automatically moving said shovel relative to said frame structure for discharging the material therein onto said conveying means only when said frame structure is in its rearmost position with respect to the base, and common power actuating means for rectilinearly moving said frame structure relative to said base and for moving said shovel relative to said frame structure including a common power actuating element for rst rectilinearly moving said frame structure forwardly and rearwardly and thereafter moving said shovel into discharging position relative to said frame structure.

4S. In a loading machine, a portable base, a frame structure mounted on said base for horizontal rectilinear movement longitudinally relative to said base, a shovel carried at the front end of said frame structure in advance of said base, conveying means on said frame structure for receiving the material discharged by said shovel, means for moving said frame structure rectilinearly relative to said base to move said shovel forwardly into material penetrating and receiving position and for thereafter moving said shovel rearwardly into discharging position with respect to said base, means for automatically moving said shovel relative to said frame structure for discharging the material therein onto said conveying means only when said frame structure is in its rearmost position with respect to the base, and common power actuating means for rectilinearly moving said frame structure forwardly and rearwardly relative to said base and for moving said shovel relative to said frame structure including parallel cylinders arranged on the opposite sides of said base, pistons reciprocable in said cylinders and having forwardly projecting piston rods, means for supplying pressure fluid to said cylinders to eiect reciprocation of said pistons, and connections between said piston rods and said frame structure and shovel.

49. In a loading machine, a portable base, a frame structure mounted on said base for horizontal rectilinear movement longitudinally relative to said base, a shovel carriel at the front end of said frame structure in advance of said base, conveying means on said frame structure for receiving the material discharged by said shovel, means for moving said frame structure rectilinearly relative to said base to move said shovel forwardly into material penetrating and receiving position and for thereafter moving said shovel rearwardly into discharging position with respect to said base, means for automatically moving said shovel relative to said frame structure for discharging the material therein onto said conveying means only when said frame structure is in its rearmost position with respect to the base, and common power actuating means for rectilinearly moving said frame structure relative to said base and for moving said shovel relative to said frame structure including parallel cylinders arranged on the opposite sides of said base, pistons reciprocable in said cylinders and having forwardly projecting piston rods, means for supplying pressure fluid to said cylinders to eiect reciprocation of said pistons, and connections between said piston rods and said frame structure and shovel, said piston rods when moving forwardly, through said connections, rst effecting forward rectilinear movement of said frame structure, and upon rearward movement thereof effecting rearward rectilinear movement of said frame structure, and after the completion of said rearward rectilinear movement effecting movement of said shovel into discharging position relative to said frame structure.

50. In a loading machine, a portable base, ma-

terial gathering means on said base, conveying means on said base for receiving the material discharged by said gathering means, hydraulic devices for moving said gathering means in a vertical direction into gathering position with respect to the mine floor, for thereafter moving the gathering mechanism into a position to penetrate the material, thereafter moving the gathering mechanism rearwardly with its load toward discharging position and thereafter discharging the material from the gathering means onto the conveying means, and receptacle receiving and supporting means operated by said hydraulic devices for receiving and supporting a receptacle in a position to receive the material discharged by said conveying means.

51. In a loading machine, a portable base having a horizontal guideway, a frame guided on said base for longitudinal movement relative thereto along said guideway, said frame overhanging the forward end of said base, a shovel mechanism supported wholly by said frame at the outer overhanging extremity thereof and including a swingable shovel member, endless, continuously moving conveying means on said frame for receiving the material discharged by said shovel member and always having its material receiving end in material receiving position with respect to said shovel mechanism, and mechanism for moving said frame longitudinally along said guideway relative to said base to move said shovel mechanism into material penetrating position and for swinging said shovel member into its discharging position with respect to said conveying means.

52. In a loading machine, a portable base having a horizontal guideway, shovel mechanism on said base including a swingable shovel member, a supporting structure extending forwardly in advance of said base and by which said shovel mechanism is wholly supported, endless, continuously moving conveying means on said supporting structure for receiving the material discharged by said shovel member and always having its material receiving end in a material receiving position with respect to said shovel mechanism, mechanism for moving said supporting structure along said guideway relative to said base for moving said shovel mechanism bodily relative to the base into its material penetrating position, and mechanism for swinging said shovel member into its discharging position relative to said supporting structure and said conveying means.

ALBERT C. WILCOX.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,041,754. May 26, 1956.

ALBERT C. WILCOX.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line 64, for "egage" read engage; page 4, first column, line 32, claim l, after "member" strike out the comma; page 5, second Column, line 23, claim l5, for "swing" read swinging; page 6, first column, line 37, claim 22, after "position" strike out the comma; page 7, first Column, line lO, claim 3l, after "shaft" insert a Comma; and. second Column, line 2A., claim 3?, after "for" insert actuating; line 5l, same claim, for "shpport" read support; page 8, second column, line 26, claim 46, after "front" insert end; page 9, first Column, line 20, claim 49, vfor "Carriel" read Carried; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these Corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of December, A. D. 11.956.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) noting Commissioner oi' Patents.` 

